PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a remake done right. Not only does it allow a new generation of fans to enjoy one of the best horror game stories ever, but it’s also faithful in the right ways while expanding the lore and modernizing the gameplay. A beautiful game that is often chilling, any horror game fan will want to check out Team Ninja’s remake.

Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is an excellent survival horror that does something different with its combat, improving on the original in every way.

While I’m a little hesitant to crown it already as the final-ever version that will never be bested, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is a great overall experience for this all-timer, 20+ years later. Some may bicker over the finer details or want a specific previous Camera Obscura incarnation, but this is a top-notch version of a survival-horror treasure, best played loud and in the dark.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake is the definitive experience of one of the 2003 horror classics. With enhanced graphics, new mechanics, high replayability, and a story that offers significant weight for players, the title establishes itself as one of the best games in the franchise by far.

A beautiful and deeply respectful remake of a Japanese horror classic, Fatal Frame 2 Crimson Butterfly Remake preserves the haunting atmosphere, tragic story, and unique Camera Obscura gameplay that made the original so memorable !Its many smart additions enrich exploration and combat, even if some longer encounters make the formula feel slightly more repetitive than before. A faithful and compelling return overall.

When people talk about wanting remakes, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is exactly the quality of remake they have in mind. Overall, this is a fantastic way to experience a beloved classic on modern hardware.

An excellent job of renovation and gameplay modernization for one of the finest horror games of the PlayStation 2 era. Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly Remake takes the original title and brings it into the modern age through targeted gameplay enhancements, new storylines, and top-tier audio-visual production—all of which bode well for the future of the franchise. Minor technical and balance issues persist, but we are confident that these will be largely resolved through post-launch updates.

It's clearly a more modern experience, with a better graphical presentation. Combat is more fluid now, but some decisions make this a sometimes frustrating experience.

Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly is what you can expect from a remake that rescues a gem of traditional psychological horror. As a representative of the genre, it keeps the player in constant tension through both its unsettling soundtrack and the grim atmosphere of a rural Japanese village. Its dark plot and the ability to guide the protagonist's sister carry a deep emotional component. Although it is locked at 30fps, it graphically improves all its aspects with great results.

Extended runtime or no, Fatal Frame II: Crimson Butterfly’s central horrors haven’t lost their resonance. Trapped in an endless night, these broken spirits convey the hell of history with every miserable cry. They’re hard to look at and even harder to capture on camera, but it’s impossible to get anywhere without viewing this kind of ugliness head-on. People will probably argue about which version of this game is the “best” or “definitive” one for some time. The only reason this remake warrants that question is that it gets across the most salient point: Minakami Village is the kind of nightmare that should never be repeated.